CBC has launched it's One Million Acts of Green, which is populated by a list of Planet Saving habits and changes. My next change of habit is to turn off the power-bars at night (at work and at home) and to unplug my phone recharger when it isn't in use. I'll also take my air conditioner out of the window for the winter and fill in the little holes with spray foam.
But we are about knitting, so here's a list of Acts of Green Knitting & Crochet (all the links will be Ravelry, so if you don't have an account you should get one!):
1. Make a SHOPPING BAG and carry it with you for daily incidental purchases.
2. Make a COFFEE CUP SLEEVE COZY and forgo the extra paper sleeve. Scratch Espresso even sells them!
3. Hand wash your woolies in cold water with Eucalan.
4. Make new Christmas ornaments from your leftovers:
5. Buy closer to home: Mission Falls, Brown Sheep Company, Cascade, Manos, Misti: Mission Falls is milled in Montreal and Brown Sheep is in Nebraska, Cascade & Misti are Peruvian, Manos is from Uruguay, so they have a much shorter distance to travel than other more international products. Also, ships create three times more carbon emissions than airplanes, but overall truck and train have a smaller environmental impact.
6. Organicly dyed yarns are not necessarily more eco-friendly. The processing of oragnic/natural dyes takes twice as much energy are regular chemical dyes. Now, I'm not says you should forgo the oraganics, less chemicals is no doubt good, but it's not a panacea.
The following Ideas consist of making things to warm yourself so you can turn down the thermostat (much of the green house gases are created through heating & electricity`):
5. AFGHAN/THROW BLANKET:
- 8-Colour Afghan
- Stash Buster Blanket
- Ombre Blanket
- Canyon Throw
- Lily Chin Reversible Cable Blankets - Lionbrand or Fiber Trends
6. FAST & SIMPLE SWEATER:
7. SOCKS:
8. LEGWARMERS:
9. SLIPPERS:
10.GAUNTLETS/ARMWARMERS/WRISTWARMERS:
- Dashing
- Fingerless mitts (Beginner!)
- Aran gauntlets
My autumn knitting queue is full of cardigans. They are fantastic for layering, especially during in-between seasons when weather can be unpredictable (and downright tempestuous here in New England). Cardigans also save money in unexpected ways. President Jimmy Carter famously wore a cardigan during a fireside chat, sending a sartorial message about conservation and practicality. According to the Farmer's Almanac, we're in for a colder than normal winter. With the upward trend of energy costs, President Carter's fashion advice is ringing in my ears.
